Bakker to be honored with ANR Distinguished Service Award during ANR Week
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EmailJohn Bakker will receive the Distinguished Service Award from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) at Michigan State University during the ANR Week Luncheon on March 8.
John Bakker, executive director of the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board, the Michigan Onion Committee, and the Michigan Carrot Committee, will receive the Distinguished Service Award from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) at Michigan State University during the ANR Week Luncheon on March 8.
Bakker is one of three individuals who will be recognized with the Distinguished Service Award, given to individuals or partners who have made outstanding contributions to Michigan’s agriculture and natural resources industries, and who possess high standards of integrity and character and positively reflect and enhance the prestige of the CANR. Recipients demonstrate a commitment to MSU and the CANR by continuing outstanding levels of leadership and volunteerism at the state, national or international level.
For more than two decades Bakker worked as a pest and fertility crop consultant and field researcher for fruit and vegetable growers. He has been an advocate for the agriculture industry and for Michigan State University, where he studied soil science, horticulture and entomology.
Bakker has led the effort to secure two federal grants for asparagus growers — a $7.5 million grant from the Asparagus Market Loss Program and a $2 million grant from the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program. He was recognized with the MVC Master Farmer Associate Award in 2014 and the Friend of Oceana Agriculture Industry Award in 2009.
As a member of Hart Public Schools Board of Education for a decade and a member of the Hart United Methodist Church, Bakker has played a vital role in the community.
The other Distinguished Service Award recipients are:
• William E. Moritz
• Don Sklarczyk
Tickets for the luncheon are on sale for $30 and are available at www.anrweek.anr.msu.edu.
The luncheon will be hosted by the CANR, MSUAgBioResearch, MSU Extension and the CANRAlumni Association, with support from Consumers Energy and DTE Energy.
